I was looking for a fast read today, so I picked up Michael Morpurgo’s Out of the Ashes.

It’s a simple, fast read, so this review will be too.

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Out of the Ashes by Michael Morpurgo

Macmillan Children’s Books, 2001

Cover is a little deceptive; On first impression you might expect this to be about a wildfire.

Courtesy of Amazon.com:

On New Year’s Day Becky Morley begins to write her diary. By March, her world has changed forever. Foot and mouth disease breaks out on a pig farm hundreds of miles from the Morley’s Devon home, but soon the nightmare is a few fields away. Local sheep are infected and every animal is destroyed. Will the Morley’s flock be next? Will their pedigree diary herd, the sows with their piglets, and Little Josh, Becky’s hand-reared lamb, survive? Or will they be slaughtered too? The waiting and hoping is the most agonizing experience of Becky’s life.

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Strengths: As I’ve said, it’s a simple read, with just over 110 pages. The narrative is straightforward and clearly constructed, in the voice of the 13-year-old narrator, Becky. The simple language fits with the diary approach Morpurgo uses. It’s a unique story about an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, which may strike some readers as archaic at first. Such agriculturally devastating illnesses would seem to have gone the way of polio and smallpox, when in fact these dangers still exist. It’s a excellent way of bringing the subject to present day, particularly through the use of the young narrator. However, I still got an unreal sense of not quite being sure where in time I was. The only solid placement in time is provided by the author, who is firm that it recounts events of 2001. A fast, interesting read.

Potential Flaws: It’s interesting, but not particularly gripping. In some places, the lack of detail did make me chafe a bit as I was reading, but if Morpurgo is to remain true to his young narrator, he almost HAS to withhold more of the gory details. Of course she would be sheltered.

My Rating:

Not fabulous, not terrible. Probably very enjoyable to younger, middle-grade readers. A unique topic, and as simple reads go, you could do far worse.

I love horror movies. Especially anything about zombies. So when I found Charlie Higson’s book on a search on Amazon, I knew right away I had to have it.

A devastating disease has struck everyone over the age of sixteen. Those who didn’t die from it have turned into decomposing, brainless creatures that survive by feeding on anything that’s still alive—including children. Young survivors have barricaded themselves in supermarkets and other buildings, fighting off attacks from the grown-ups, who travel in packs, like hungry dogs.

The group of kids from a store called Waitrose includes fearless fighters, clever engineers, and wise leaders. They are tight-knit and determined to survive, but they are running out of food and their scavenger hunts are growing more and more dangerous. Marauding grown-ups are picking them off one by one.

Before long the Waitrose kids are offered a safe haven in Buckingham Palace. They make their way to it, crossing London on a perilous journey that will test them in harrowing ways. But their fight to stay alive is far from over—the threat from within the palace is as real as the one outside it.

Full of unexpected twists and quick-thinking heroes, The Enemy is a fast-paced, white-knuckle tale of survival in the face of unimaginable horror. (Back cover excerpt)

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The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Hyperion, 2010

I picked up an ARC, so my cover was slightly different. Pretty run of the mill.

Another cover version. I'm not too impressed with the overly-sensationalist tagline at the bottom.

The imagined zombie apocalypse has been the inspiration behind dozens of movies, books, and comics over the past decade, and though Higson adds few innovations, his gusto is something to behold. Eighteen months have passed since everyone over 16 succumbed to a virus that turned them into rotting, ravenous monsters, and there are enclaves of kids all over London eking out survival. Barricaded inside of a store, about 50 refugees have constructed their own society—which is shaken when a boy arrives spinning tales of a wonderful settlement housed within Buckingham Palace. The action from that point alternates between the group’s harrowing journey across the city and the grueling plight of Sam, a nine-year-old whose separation from the pack leads to an encounter with cannibals. Some of the characters feel like placeholders, but the action is of the first order—Higson writes with a firestorm velocity that inspires to the sweeping reach of Stephen King’s The Stand (1978). A muscular start to what looks to be a series. Grades 9-12. –Daniel Kraus

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So…

I really liked this story…the FIRST time I saw it, which was when it was a movie called 28 Days Later.

28 Days Later was released in 2002

b

I couldn’t help but make comparisons while I was reading. There are some pretty notable parallels:

1. Situation: A devastating, fast-spreading disease decimates the population, leaving few alive. Minor variations between the book and the movie as to WHO survives and why, but otherwise, it’s the same conflict.

2. Setting: London and other parts of England

This was one of the more striking things I noticed.

In 28 Days Later, Jim (played by Cillian Murphy) finds himself wandering lost in a deserted London. Note Buckingham Palace in the background.

The setting is completely deserted, with the remnants of a more civilized time left behind; supermarkets abandoned, cars left in an eerie graveyard of sorts in the streets…

More post-epidemic devastation

In both cases, I think the choice of England helps facilitate the notion of quarantine, isolation, etc. Its “island status” makes it a little more believable that they could really be cut off from the rest of the world.

3. Inevitable Decisions and Their Ramifications:

After realizing their living situation is really unsafe and becoming even more so, the small band of survivors is lured by a mysterious stranger/radio announcement to make a dangerous journey to a “place of safety.” (Read: Buckingham Palace/stately manor house in the country.) Even though they know it will be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, they band together and go anyway.

And encounter the grown-ups/zombies along the way. Also some very frightful chase scenes in the subways/tunnels.

Being chased through London

Run! Zombies!

Following a harrowing trek, during which some of their friends are lost in battle, they arrive at their destination. And meet David King/Major Henry West, the leader of a small band of survivors…

Leader of a suspiciously sinister power structure...

...who tries to present a sense of normalcy while hiding ulterior motives.

And the group realizes they are no safer than they were before.

Of course, chaos ensues, with the inevitable infighting and squabbling and rampant grown-ups/zombies:

The disintegration of order...

And so on, and so forth…

Of course, there are differences, such as the age of the protagonists, and the book’s lack of the sexual elements in the movie, but overall, the arc of the plot is VERY similar.

That being said:

Strengths: It’s definitely a high-action, fast-paced plot. Battle scenes are vivid, and pretty gory. However, they’re not really over-the-top for the zombie genre. Characters are varied and well-developed, and for the most part extremely likable. Also a plus is the presence of strong female characters who aren’t over-feminized and dependent upon the males. Maxie is a great example. I admired how well Higson translated the dissolution of order into a child’s society; it was reminiscent of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies in the breakdown of the group from within. It’s a large cast of characters, which is difficult to manage well, but Higson handles it nicely. He’s also not afraid to kill off characters where it seems to fit, regardless of how important those characters are, and to that I say bravo; it’s not easy to let go of a strong, well-liked character (sorry for the semi-spoiler, but I’m not telling you WHO). Add some very high-tension side plots, and it is a tight narrative without glaring holes or inconsistencies.

Potential Flaws:

If you were hoping for a totally original story, you’re not really going to get it here. As I’ve said, I felt like I was reading a young adult 28 Days Later. Which isn’t necessarily a flaw in itself. However, if you DIDN’T like that movie, you’ll probably have a hard time with this book.

My Rating:

Fast-paced reading, strong characters, and a well-constructed plot tie this together despite the comparisons that tie it to the earlier and unrelated movie. Enjoyable and disturbing at the same time, as long as you’re not bothered by predictable plots.

Tomas de Torquemada: Architect of Torture During the Spanish Inquisition

Francisco Pizarro: Destroyer of the Inca Empire

Attila the Hun: Leader of the Barbarian Hordes

Grigory Rasputin: Holy Man or Mad Monk?

Hannibal: Rome’s Worst Nightmare

Vlad the Impaler: The Real Count Dracula

Ivan the Terrible: Tsar of Death

Mary Tudor: Courageous Queen or Bloody Mary?

Napoleon I: Emperor and Conqueror

Otto von Bismarck: Iron Chancellor of Germany

Julius Caesar: Dictator for Life

Cixi: Evil Empress of China?

Sir Francis Drake: Slave Trader and Pirate

Catherine the Great: Empress of Russia

Henry VIII: Royal Beheader

Robespierre: Master of the Guillotine

b

As biographies go, Vlad was pretty straightforward. It’s clearly a series built on the premise of snaring readers with a bit of sensationalism. But, from the viewpoint of a teacher and librarian, I can’t say I completely disapprove.

Strengths: The publishers hearts appear to be in the right place. Get them reading. I think we can all appreciate that it sometimes takes some pretty flashy stuff to get the attention of younger readers. This is a good way to whet their appetites for reading nonfiction. There will probably be more than a few morbid-minded readers in the audience that may be driven to read more. There are maps, glossaries, timelines, etc., all of which are good additions.

Potential Flaws: What appears to be a boon is also something of a weakness here. As a sampling, it’s somewhat interesting, but they do lack depth. There is only so far you can go in a volume so slim. A number of reviews I found (none by major publications, unfortunately) cite the viewpoints of these books to be pretty negative and one-sided.

My Rating:

If you take these books at face value, they’re at least a way to get some readers to foray into nonfiction. While they rely on some sensationalism, it’s somewhat watered down. Readers expecting a spectacle will be disappointed.

*Starred Review* Larson (Chiggers, 2008) won an Eisner Award for Special Recognition in 2007 and is establishing an oeuvre of thoughtful, girl-centric graphic novels that often feature touches of unobtrusive fantasy, lending a dreamy quality that helps characterize her distinctive storytelling style. Mercury tells two tales: one of Josey, who lives in a small Canadian town in 1859; and the other of her descendant, Tara, who has returned to the same town in 2009, a year after her house burned to the ground. Tenth-grader Tara’s burgeoning relationships and her difficulty reacclimating to her old school will be more identifiable than Josey’s forbidden courtship with itinerant prospector Asa, but the use of two time lines delineates the different eras’ outlooks on family and romance, which brings some immutable human truths into high relief. The gentle dose of magic realism doesn’t feel incongruous and underscores the powerful ways in which past touches present. The insights unfold leisurely, but patient readers will find themselves deeply invested. Comparisons to Craig Thompson’s Blankets (2003) wouldn’t be inappropriate, but Larson continues to perfect her own unique style and offers something the graphic format is sadly short on: a coming-of-age story for girls. Grades 9-12. –Jesse Karp –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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I like the Booklist review because of its focus on the coming-of-age story for girls. I’d say I’m pretty much on board with both reviews here.

Strengths: This will have a broad appeal for many readers. For obvious reasons, it will probably speak to girls more. However, the appeal of the graphic novel will pull in other groups as well. Graphic novels are excellent alternatives for those who may struggle with reading. Larson’s illustrations are straightforward and the dialogue easy to follow:

A page from "Mercury," courtesy of ComicBookResources.com

Tara is a likable heroine, but not perfect, and many readers will identify with her social awkwardness. As the narrative alternates between the past and the present, it’s easy to follow, not just by the plot changes. Larson emphasizes through format and the use of black backgrounds on the pages of the story in the past. It’s another helpful visual cue for a struggling reader.

A page from the past. Courtesy of ComicBookResources.com.

Overall, it’s a fast, interesting read.

Potential Flaws: I didn’t have too many complaints about this one. The ending is a little abrupt. Without giving spoilers, it’s hard to verbalize why I feel this way. There are also details about Tara from before the beginning of the narrative that I wanted, as well as details about Josey’s life afterward. I suppose it’s the author’s choice what to add and what to lose, but as a reader, I was left yearning for more detail.

My Rating:

A fast-paced, unique tale. Applause to the author for featuring a girl’s coming-of-age tale in a graphic novel. Excellent use of the alternating past/present narrative.

This isn’t a YA title, but I’d say that teen readers might find it interesting anyway for its unusual format.

Strengths: This has a really unique format. The premise of the story involves Amy’s decision to use an old book as her journal (called “altered books”) and she adds emails, recipes, journal entries, scrapbook clippings, etc. to it. I was really interested as the story unfolded, since the original content of the book shows through her entries, sometimes in a really coincidental and spooky way. You know there are details to find, and you need to read carefully and pay attention to EVERYTHING. It’s a treasure hunt.

Potential Flaws: Nothing structural. I will only say that these types of books just aren’t for everyone. It’s not a really deep, convoluted mystery, but those who want to read this type of book probably aren’t looking for that, anyway.

My Rating:

A unique, clever diversion. Not a literary masterpiece, but a fun fast scavenger hunt for clues.

This was another used bookstore find. I was snagged by the title and sold by the cover. Even the teaser from the back is promising:

“Mercy O’Connor is becoming an angel.

She can feel her wings sprouting from her shoulder blades. They itch. Sometimes she even hears them rustling.

And angels don’t need to eat. So Mercy has decided she doesn’t need to either. She is not sick, doesn’t suffer from anorexia, is not trying to kill herself. She is an angel, and angels simply don’t need food.

When her parents send her to an eating disorder clinic, Mercy is scared and confused. She isn’t like the other girls who are so obviously sick. If people could just see her wings, they would know. But her wings don’t come and Mercy begins to have doubts. What if she isn’t really an angel? What if she’s just a girl? What if she is killing herself? Can she stop?”

I’ve always been a fan of the teen problem novel, and I admit I find the topic of anorexia fascinating. I figured I couldn’t lose.

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Mercy, Unbound by Kim Antieau

Simon Pulse, 2006

b

I love the delicate, ethereal quality and the fact that they used a brunette model.

Strengths: The parallel to Shelley’s Prometheus, Unbound is quite clever. Like Shelley’s play, Antieau’s book is divided into 4 parts, and Mercy’s feelings regarding the suffering she sees in the world mirror those of Prometheus. I really found this to be a unique and clever approach.

Potential Flaws: This book had a great deal of promise. As I’ve said, I’ve always been a fan of a good problem novel. But, that being said, I was really disappointed with this read. The political/moral issues that keep cropping up, although accurate, are heavy-handed. Further, I felt that this was potentially two novels. The first was the typical problem novel about anorexia. Unfortunately, it never really delivered; Mercy’s repeated “I don’t eat because I’m becoming an angel and angels don’t need to eat” really flies in the face of the fact that in truth, anorexia is about body image and control issues. The “angel” approach trivializes a serious issue. The second novel was a “what if” story; what if Mercy really WAS becoming an angel? This was a direction that I was hoping the story would go. Again, unfortunately, Antieau doesn’t deliver that either. Ultimately, while the Prometheus parallel was a good one, I also felt that it was one that would most likely be lost on a significant portion of the intended audience.

My Rating:

A disappointment. Much promise, but not much delivery. Too many false starts, heavy-handed political issues, and just not much punch.

This is probably one of the best summaries I’ve seen for a book. This really encompasses the major elements of the plot.

Strengths: This definitely IS a thriller, and a good one. Bodeen creates a disturbingly real vision of a frightening question: how would you survive if you were the ONLY survivors of a nuclear winter, and would you even WANT to? It’s an uneasy question that hovers over the entire story, particularly when the mysterious “Supplements” enter the plot. In some sense, the ending does seem a bit predictable; I saw it coming, but it was well-written enough that it didn’t bother me. The real shock of the book hits you from nowhere in the MIDDLE of the story. From that point, there’s a constant building of tension that is very well-crafted.

Potential Flaws: Superficially, the cover art doesn’t do the story justice, in my opinion. A more fickle reader might walk by this one. Covers are important. And where I usually stumble across multiple versions of a cover, my searches only turned up this one. As far as the story is concerned, there’s a bit of unbelievability about the ridiculous wealth Eli’s father must have. However important it is to the plot (there’s no way the compound would exist without it) it’s just a little too convenient.

My Rating:

A tightly constructed, tense thriller. A little too real for comfort, but hard to put down.